Wicked: The Stars Who Almost Made It to Oz

The journey to cast the magical world of Wicked has been quite the rollercoaster. Many big names have tried out for roles, but only a few made the cut. Let's dive into some of the stars who came close but didn't quite make it to the Emerald City. First up, Lady Gaga was in talks to play Elphaba in a 2016 version of the film. Unfortunately, the project fell through, and the director had to step away due to scheduling issues. It's a shame because Gaga's unique style could have brought something special to the role. Shawn Mendes was also considered for the role of Fiyero. Imagine the pop star belting out "Dancing Through Life" on the big screen! It's a fun thought, but it wasn't meant to be. Amanda Seyfried shared that she auditioned for Glinda while filming her Emmy-winning miniseries, The Dropout. She joked that she still dreams about auditioning for Wicked, showing just how much the role stuck with her. Dove Cameron went through a lengthy audition process for Wicked. She didn't specify which role she tried out for, but she has called Glinda the "role of a lifetime. " It's easy to see why so many actors are drawn to these iconic characters. Cristin Milioti auditioned for Elphaba and spent two weeks preparing for her big moment. She even mentioned that the sound she made during her audition will stay with her forever. It's clear that the role left a lasting impression on her. Phylicia Pearl Mpasi auditioned for the movie and shared her emotional journey on YouTube. She hopes that the film will make other young Black women feel seen, just as it did for her. It's a powerful statement that highlights the importance of representation in media. Nick Jonas and his brother Joe both auditioned for Fiyero. Nick revealed that they were both in the running for the same role, which must have been an interesting dynamic. Joe even encouraged Nick to "kill it" during his audition, showing the supportive bond between the brothers. Renée Rapp auditioned for Glinda and couldn't contain her excitement for Ariana Grande's casting. She gushed about Ariana's potential in the role, showing the camaraderie among actors in the industry. Ryan McCartan, who previously played Fiyero on Broadway, auditioned for the film but didn't make the cut. He joked about not holding any hard feelings, proving that actors can take rejection in stride. Spencer Sutherland got a "double callback" for Fiyero, which must have been thrilling. He didn't know how many other actors were being considered, but it's clear that he gave it his all. Taylor Louderman auditioned for the movie and shared her feelings on Instagram. She admitted that she cared too much about the role, showing the emotional investment that actors put into their craft. Finally, Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda but also auditioned for Elphaba. She knew she was a better fit for Glinda, and her performance has been highly anticipated by fans.